Use of various methods to reconstruct experiences of web site visitors

ABSTRACT

A method of reconstruction of data gathered from Internet web sites and, more specifically, the reconstruction of data regarding the experiences of Internet users at particular web sites for determining the utilization of a respective web site.

PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority from provisional applicationfiled Jul. 6, 2001, having serial number 60/303,684 entitled “Use OfVarious Methods To Reconstruct Experiences Of Web Site Visitors.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention pertains to the field of reconstruction of datagathered from Internet web sites and, more specifically, thereconstruction of data regarding the experiences of Internet users atparticular web sites for determining the utilization of a respective website.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Parties (or hosts) that construct and maintain web sites on theWorld Wide Web (i.e., the Internet) generally wish to structure theirweb sites (the site) so as to accomplish certain goals with regards tothe web site's visitors. Sometimes the goal may be to encourage avisitor to stay at the site for a maximum amount of time. Other timesthe goal may be to allow the visitor to quickly and easily access orpurchase a certain amount of products, images or items. A tool thatmonitored visitor activity on a web site would benefit a web site hostin that the host could modify the web site based on visitor activity toencourage visitors to access certain pages, hypertext items, images, andother objects, or to take other particular actions. Such encouragementcould be accomplished through modifying the web site to make it moreproductive and more appealing. Such a tool that monitored visitoractivity would also be beneficial for a wide range of other purposes.

[0004] Currently, however, such a tool for monitoring visitor activitydoes not exist. Tools presently used for monitoring visitor activitiesresult in partial records (or visitor activity logs) that may havenumerous and, sometimes large, gaps in information regarding userbehavior. Such gaps or incomplete information in visitor activity logs,for example, are often created through a visitor's use of browsers thatstore documents and do not reload such documents every time a visitorrequests it, a web site's use of frame based templates and the use ofproxies on the Internet by servers to avoid delays and reduce networktraffic. Numerous other “short-cuts” or “time savers” cause the actualdata recovered regarding visitor behavior to differ from the truevisitor activity. This situation is further complicated by issues likemultiple document downloads from the server for every user request(e.g., for framesets or popups). The recent advancement of Internettechnologies, like the widespread adoption of dynamic HTML (i.e., DHTML)and the wide spread use of active components in the web pages (e.g.,scripts, forms and embedded objects like applets and flash objects) havefurther widened the chasm between the user experience and the visitoractivity log recorded at the web server. Moreover, other methods used torecord visitor experience while interacting with a web site such aslisteners and web bugs are either cumbersome to implement or intrusiveon the visitors and hence are not practical means of recording userexperiences. Even if these methods are implemented, for the abovementioned reasons, they are generally still ineffective and havedifficulty in exactly capturing the visitors full interaction with thesite. Consequently, a method is needed that takes available informationand reconstructs a visitor's experience in a manner that is useful tothe web site's host and accurate within an acceptable margin of error.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This invention presents a method of reconstruction of datagathered from Internet web sites and, more specifically, thereconstruction of data regarding the experiences of Internet users atparticular web sites for determining the utilization of a respective website.

[0006] The method entails determining a visitor's travel path through aweb site consisting of multiple web pages by retrieving a data recordcontaining a partial record of steps and reconstructing missing stepsthrough the application of logical sequences where the path is all stepstaken by a web site user from web page to web page and steps are a pairof web pages consisting of a source web page and a destination web page.

[0007] This invention may be used by, or use techniques detailed in, thefollowing applications, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference: “System And Method For Providing Customized Web Pages”(Application No. 09/778,562); “Graphical User Interface And Web SiteEvaluation Tool For Customizing Web Sites” (Application No. 10/005,182);and “System And Method For Analyzing Web Site Visitor Activities AndCustomizing Web Pages” filed contemporaneously with this applicationthat is the non-provisional version of provisional Application No.60/303,683.

[0008] The construction designed to carry out the invention willhereinafter be described together with other features thereof. Theinvention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawingforming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown andwherein from the detailed description of these, other more specificobjects and features of the invention will become apparent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a flowchart detailing the steps performed inreconstructing visitor activity logs.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a flowchart detailing application of logical sequencesto reconstruct visitor activity logs in non-framed web sites.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a flowchart detailing application of logical sequencesto reconstruct visitor activity logs in framed web sites.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Referring now in more detail the invention will be describedbelow.

[0013] Currently, a web site host can retrieve records of user activityon their web sites through a variety of methods. One method that ispopular includes retrieving the user activity log from a request log ona web site server. The server records visitor-request information(requester id, time, document name, browser name, etc.,) during itsoperation and stores such information in a file known as a request log.Unfortunately, programs used by visitor's to review web sites (i.e.,browsers) will often store copies of particular web pages within its ownsystem (memory or the local file system) and, therefore, not make arequest to the server for the particular web page, but instead utilizethe locally stored web page. Additionally, proxy servers may interceptrequests sent to a web-server and return the appropriate web page thatwas stored on such proxy server during an earlier request from adifferent visitor. Further, there is not always a one-to-onecorrespondence between what a visitor experiences and the request thatis received by the server. For example, documents that use frame basedtemplates can lead to more than one web page request to the server or atother times less requests than needed to complete all the framedtemplates at a particular location. Consequently, for these and otherreasons, the record of user activity at a web site is generallyincomplete.

[0014] The present invention resolves the above-described partial-recordproblem by utilizing logical sequences to fill in gaps in the recordthat maintains a list of web pages visited by a visitor. A web site hostmay then rely on this list in determining visitor interaction with a website. The invention also allows the host to adjust or insert logicalsequences that add to the accuracy of the visitor logs based on thehost's knowledge of its web site or other factors.

[0015] A first example illustrating the invention is shown in FIG. 1which utilizes a web site where each web page only consists of oneInternet address. Internet addresses may also by referred to as anUniversal Resource Locator (or URL). A web site that consists only ofthis single type web page is considered a non-framed site. For anon-framed site, a visitor will travel from one web page to another webpage and the visitor record will consist of a listing of pairs of singleURLs or addresses. Because visitor activity is recorded as the actualtravel from web page to web page, the visitor record consists of a pairof web page addresses—the source web page address and the destinationweb page address. This invention defines and refers to pair of addressesas a “step” taken by a visitor 100. The invention then defines a path asall steps taken by a web site user from web page to web page within theweb site 200.

[0016] In the current preferred embodiment, the invention may be carriedout by a combination of software, hardware or firmware. In thisparticular preferred embodiment, the invention will utilize software toretrieve a partial visitor record 300 and manipulate the data based onthe logical sequences further detailed below 400. The visitor recordrestored by the present invention may then be utilized in a variety ofways to modify the web site so as to allow for more efficientutilization of the web site or for a number of other uses. For example,the restored visitor record may reveal that visitors take an ellipticalpath between two web pages when a more direct path is available. If aweb site host knew of such information, it could modify the web pagesto, perhaps, highlight the more direct path between the two web pages.

[0017] Illustrating the invention with a non-framed web site is shown inFIG. 2. In a non-framed version, the present preferred embodiment of theinvention provides for six logical sequences 400. The invention applieseach logical sequence, in sequence from the first logical sequence 401to the sixth logical sequence 406, to the entire existing partial recordwith each application of an logical sequence potentially furthersupplementing the record. At each instance of an logical sequenceapplication 400, the invention works with two contiguous elements at atime from the partial record to create the visitors path through the website. During this process, the invention may add addresses to the recordindicating a “step” (or steps) taken by the visitor in its travelthrough the web site or the record may be amended to show that no stepsoccurred and that the record is correct and complete for that portion.The invention is not limited to the logical sequences below or aparticular method of application and the invention may also be carriedout through variations to the type and number of logical sequences belowand to the manner in which the logical sequences are applied.

[0018] The preferred embodiment of the invention for a non-framedversion conducts the first logical sequence 401 by comparing each stepin the retrieved partial record to the next step in the record todetermine if a step is missing from the record. The invention performsthis comparison by examining the destination web page of the proceedingstep and the source web page of the subsequent step. If the addressesare identical, then the invention assumes that no step took placebetween the two compared steps. If the invention determines that no stepexists between the two compared steps, the invention then inserts anindicator into the record that no step exists.

[0019] The invention then conducts the second logical sequence 402 bycomparing each step in the record to the next step in the record whenthere is no indicator that no step exists between the two steps. Duringthe comparison, the invention examines the destination web page of theproceeding step and the source web page of the subsequent step and theweb site structure to determine if there is a direct path availablebetween them such that no other web page must be first visited. If thereis a direct path between the compared steps, then the invention assumesthat a step exists between the two steps and that the new step consistsof the proceeding step's destination web page and the subsequent step'ssource web page-i.e., the direct one step path. The invention thenamends the record to place the new step between the proceeding andsubsequent steps and places indicators between all three steps that noother steps exist between the three steps.

[0020] In various embodiments of the invention, the structure of the website can also be used by the logical sequences in reconstructing thevisitor record log. Frequently, a web site is constructed with aparticular hierarchy to it. For example, most web sites have oneparticular page as the primary page and all other web pages at the siteare accessed from or through this web page. This primary web page isoften called the home page of the web site. Through understanding thatthe home page is often the first page visited at a site or that if it isnot the first page visited, then the visitor is a returning user, theinvention may be constructed so that the logical sequences areappropriately modified to reflect this understanding. Additionally, website structures are often situated so that each web page (other than thehome page) has a “parent,” or a web page from which it is accessed. Theaccessed web page from a “parent” web page is often called the “child”web page of the “parent.” Use of the existence of parent-childrelationships at web sites can also aid in the construction orapplication of logical sequences.

[0021] For example, should a web site structure indicate parent-childrelationships, the second logical sequence 402 could reconstruct avisitor activity log by assuming that a web page is generally accessedfrom its parent. Thus, if there is a parent-child relationship betweentwo sequential web pages but no indication of travel between them, thesecond logical sequence 402 may be altered to insert a step indicatingtravel between the parent and child. Other modifications to the logicalsequences will be obvious to one skilled in the art.

[0022] Although many logical sequences above detail that an indicatorwill be placed in the record when a determination that no step ismissing from the record, other embodiments of the invention couldconsist of logical sequences that exist without placing such anindicator or that do not determine if such an indicator exists.

[0023] After completing the second logical sequence, the invention thenconducts the third logical sequence 403 by comparing each step in therecord to the next step in the record when there is no indicator that nostep exists between the two steps. The invention performs the comparisonby examining the source web page of the proceeding step and the sourceweb page of the subsequent step to determine if the source web pages areidentical. If the web pages are identical, then the invention assumesthat the web site visitor used the “back” button available on its webbrowser software that allows travel from the last destination web pageto the last source web page. In other words, the back button performsthe previous step in reverse. This action then allows the visitor totravel to another destination web page from the previously visited webpage. Often, the backwards travel is not recorded in a partial visitorlog. The invention assumes that when the visitor traveled from the samepage two times sequentially that it used the back button after itsprevious journey. Thus, after applying the third logical sequence anddetermining that the back button was used (or that the visitor traveledbackwards using some other means), the invention amends the record toplace the new step, consisting of the proceeding step's destination webpage as the new step's source page and the subsequent step's source webpage as the new step's destination page, between the proceeding andsubsequent steps and places indicators between all three steps that noother steps exist between the three steps.

[0024] The invention's application of the third logical sequence canalso be used to alert the invention to amend the record to place anindicator that a “back” button was used by the visitor during its visitto the web site at this location. The invention may sometimes also bedesigned to perform this logical sequence with all steps, or in someother manner, so as to supplement the record with details of when a“back” button was or may have been used by the visitor.

[0025] The invention then conducts the fourth logical sequence 404 bycomparing each step in the record to the next step in the record whenthere is no indicator that no step exists between the two steps. Oncethe invention determines the lack of an indication that no steps existbetween two steps, the invention further conducts this fourth logicalsequence by examining the steps that took place prior to the currentlycompared steps. While examining the prior steps, the inventiondetermines if any of the prior steps, or any of the prior stepsperformed in reverse, would allow the visitor to reach the comparedpair's subsequent step's source web page from the compared pair'sproceeding step's destination web page. If the invention finds any stepor combination of steps that would allow for the visitor to travelbetween the compared pair, the invention then inserts the prior stepsnecessary to complete such a journey. The invention can be designed sothat the fewest number of steps are inserted, the most recent steps thatwould allow for completion of the record are inserted or some other testis used to determine which steps are inserted into the record.Additionally, the invention could be designed so that it only examines aparticular or limited number of prior steps. The invention then placesindicators between the compared steps that no other steps exist betweenthe two compared steps.

[0026] The invention then conducts the fifth logical sequence 405 bycomparing each step in the record to the next step in the record whenthere is no indicator that no step exists between the two steps. Oncethe invention determines the lack of an indication that no steps existbetween two steps, the invention further conducts this fifth logicalsequence by examining the steps that took place subsequent to thecurrently compared steps. The invention determines if any of thesubsequent steps, or any of the subsequent steps performed in reverse,would allow the visitor to reach the compared pair's subsequent step'ssource web page from the compared pair's proceeding step's destinationweb page. If the invention finds any step or combination of steps thatwould allow for the visitor to travel between the compared pair, theinvention then inserts the subsequent steps necessary to complete such ajourney. The invention can be designed so that the fewest number ofsteps are inserted, the steps performed most immediately afterwards thatwould allow for completion of the record are inserted or some other testis used to determine which steps are inserted into the record.Additionally, the invention could be designed so that it only examines aparticular or limited number of subsequent steps. The invention thenplaces indicators between the compared steps that no other steps existbetween the two compared steps.

[0027] The invention then conducts the sixth logical sequence 406 bycomparing each step in the record to the next step in the record whenthere is no indicator that no step exists between the two steps. Duringthe comparison, the invention examines the destination web page of theproceeding step and the source web page of the subsequent step and theweb site structure to determine what paths are available to complete ajourney between them. The invention then assumes that the new step, orsteps, consists of the necessary steps to complete the record. Theinvention can be designed so that the fewest number of steps areinserted or some other test is used to determine which steps areinserted into the record. The invention then amends the record to placethe new step, or steps, between the proceeding and subsequent steps andplaces indicators between all steps that no other steps exist betweenthe steps. The invention could be further designed to limit the numberof steps added to the record, designed to further enhance thefeasibility that application of this logical sequence results in thecorrect step or steps being inserted or designed in some other mannerdepending on the goal of reconstruction. For example, some users maywish the logical sequences to produce the most accurate records based onprobability while others may define certain occurrences as absoluteoccurrences such as that the visitor always visits the web site'sprimary (i.e., home) page or use a “back” button.

[0028] As ones skilled in the art will note, the last logical sequenceof any set of logical sequences is generally a default gap-filler thatalways fills the gap with a viable and logical sequence regardless ofwhether any of the prior logical sequences solved the visitor loginconsistency.

[0029] Other logical sequences may also be utilized by the invention todetermine when a web site user utilized a particular device to travelfrom one web page to another. For example, a web site user may utilize a“back” button that allows it to travel back directly to the previouslyvisited web page. Another example could be when a web site user uses a“home” or “favorites” button that take the user to a particular page(i.e., a page previously designated as a “home” or designated as a“favorite” page) without conversing on a normal path within the web sitestructure.

[0030] Logical sequences may also be constructed so that they take intoaccount that a visitor may travel to more than one web pages as a resultof a single action. For example, traveling to one web page may cause asecond browser window to open showing a separate web page. Thesesecondary or separate web pages are often defined as “pop-up” windows.Consequently, the user record may indicate that instead of a visitortraveling to one web page, the visitor traveled to two web pages-therequested page and a pop-up window. The invention may also define a step100 as potentially consisting of a different amount of source web pagesthan destination web pages. One example of another logical sequencewould be that upon the determination that the record reflects adifferent number of source web pages than destination web pages, a stepis inserted wherein entry to a single web page results in the activitylog reflecting multiple web pages. An understanding of the web sitestructure that only one web page or particular web pages allow theactivation of a pop-up window can also aid in the record reconstruction.

[0031] In a more complex application of the invention, the invention isapplied to a framed web site. Illustrating the invention with a framedweb site is shown in FIG. 3. Within a framed web site, a web page willconsist of a set of one of more web pages displayed at once and framedin different parts of the single web page. Thus, the record will stillindicate the step (or steps) taken by the visitor as they travelthroughout the web site, however, each step may now consist of two setsof one or more web pages a set of source web pages and a set ofdestination web pages. Therefore, a step will consist of one or moresource web pages and one or more destination web pages. For example, astep may consist of a web page consisting of URLs “A”, “B” and “C” asthe source web page and the URLs “A”, “D”, and “E” as the destinationweb page.

[0032] The same type of alternatives to the invention or the applicationof the logical sequences that apply in the embodiment of the inventionwhen examining non-framed web sites will also often apply in embodimentsthat examine or are used in conjunction with web sites that use frames.

[0033] In a framed version, the preferred embodiment of the inventionprovides for five logical sequences 400. The invention applies eachlogical sequence in sequence, from the first logical sequence 501 to thefifth logical sequence 505, to the entire existing partial record witheach application of a logical sequence potentially further supplementingthe record. At each instance of a logical sequence application,addresses may be added to the record indicating a “step” (or steps)taken by the visitor in his or her travel through the web site or therecord may be amended to show that no steps occurred and that the recordis correct and complete for that portion.

[0034] The preferred embodiment of the invention for a web site usingframes conducts the first logical sequence 501 by comparing each step inthe retrieved partial record to the next step in the record to determineif a step is missing from the record. The invention performs thiscomparison by examining the destination web page set of the proceedingstep and the source web page set of the subsequent step. If theaddresses are identical, then the invention assumes that no step tookplace between the two compared steps. If the invention determines thatno step exists between the two compared steps, the invention theninserts an indicator into the record that no step exists.

[0035] The invention then conducts the second logical sequence 502 bycomparing each step in the record to the next step in the record whenthere is no indicator that no step exists between the two steps. Duringthe comparison, the invention examines the destination web page set ofthe proceeding step and the source web page set of the subsequent stepand the web site structure to determine if there is a direct pathavailable between them such that no other web page set must be firstvisited. If there is a direct path between the compared steps, then theinvention assumes that a step exists between the two steps and that thenew step consists of the proceeding step's destination web page set andthe subsequent step's source web page set-i.e., the direct one steppath. The invention then amends the record to place the new step betweenthe proceeding and subsequent steps and places indicators between allthree steps that no other steps exist between the three steps.

[0036] The invention then conducts the third logical sequence 503 bycomparing each step in the record to the next step in the record whenthere is no indicator that no step exists between the two steps. Oncethe invention determines the lack of an indication that no steps existbetween two steps, the invention further conducts this third logicalsequence by examining the steps that took place subsequent to thecurrently compared steps. The invention determines if any of thesubsequent steps, or any of the subsequent steps performed in reverse,would allow the visitor to reach the compared pair's subsequent step'ssource web page set from the compared pair's proceeding step'sdestination web page set. If the invention finds any step or combinationof steps that would allow for the visitor to travel between the comparedpair, the invention then inserts the subsequent steps necessary tocomplete such a journey. The invention can be designed so that thefewest number of steps are inserted, the steps performed mostimmediately afterwards that would allow for completion of the record areinserted or some other test is used to determine which steps areinserted into the record. Additionally, the invention could be designedso that it only examines a particular or limited number of subsequentsteps. The invention then places indicators between the compared stepsthat no other steps exist between the two compared steps.

[0037] The invention then conducts the fourth logical sequence 504 bycomparing each step in the record to the next step in the record whenthere is no indicator that no step exists between the two steps. Oncethe invention determines the lack of an indication that no steps existbetween two steps, the invention further conducts this fourth logicalsequence by examining the steps that took place prior to the currentlycompared steps. While examining the prior steps, the inventiondetermines if any of the prior steps, or any of the prior stepsperformed in reverse, would allow the visitor to reach the comparedpair's subsequent step's source web page set from the compared pair'sproceeding step's destination web page set. If the invention finds anystep or combination of steps that would allow for the visitor to travelbetween the compared pair, the invention then inserts the prior stepsnecessary to complete such a journey. The invention can be designed sothat the fewest number of steps are inserted, the most recent steps thatwould allow for completion of the record are inserted or some other testis used to determine which steps are inserted into the record.Additionally, the invention could be designed so that it only examines aparticular or limited number of prior steps. The invention then placesindicators between the compared steps that no other steps exist betweenthe two compared steps.

[0038] The invention then conducts the fifth logical sequence 505 bycomparing each step in the record to the next step in the record whenthere is no indicator that no step exists between the two steps. Duringthe comparison, the invention examines the destination web page set ofthe proceeding step and the source web page set of the subsequent stepand the web site structure to determine what paths are available tocomplete a journey between them. The invention then assumes that the newstep, or steps, consists of the necessary steps to complete the record.The invention can be designed so that the fewest number of steps areinserted or some other test is used to determine which steps areinserted into the record. The invention then amends the record to placethe new step, or steps, between the proceeding and subsequent steps andplaces indicators between all steps that no other steps exist betweenthe steps. The invention could be further designed to limit the numberof steps added to the record, designed to further enhance thefeasibility that application of this logical sequence results in thecorrect step or steps being inserted or designed in some other mannerdepending on the goal of reconstruction. For example, some users maywish the logical sequences to produce the most accurate records based onprobability while others may define certain occurrences as absoluteoccurrences such as that the visitor always visits the web site'sprimary (i.e., home) page or use a “back” button or that particularframes are more prevalent than other frames.

[0039] The above discussed invention provides for a completion to arecord based on logical sequences to give probabilistic chances ofcorrectly completing the record. Changes to the invention may furthersupplement, utilize or alter the probabilistic outcomes.

[0040] Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled inthe art to which the present invention pertains without departing fromits spirit and scope.

We claim:
 1. A method of determining a travel path through a web sitehaving a plurality of web pages, the method comprising the steps of:defining a path as all steps taken by a web site user from web page toweb page within a web site; defining each step as a pair of web pagesconsisting of a source web page and a destination web page; retrieving adata record containing a partial record of steps; and reconstructingmissing steps in the path through the application of logical sequences.2. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the logical sequences consistsof: comparing each step's source web page to the destination web page ofthe immediately prior step; and amending the data record to indicatethat no step separates two steps in which a step's source web page andthe prior step's destination web page are the same location.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein one of the logical sequences consists of:comparing each step's destination web page to the source web page of theimmediate subsequent step for all pairs of steps when there is noindication that no step is missing between said step pairs in the datarecord; amending the data record to insert a new step between comparedstep pairs consisting of the proceeding step's destination web page assaid new step's source web page and the subsequent step's source webpage as said new step's destination web page when in a compared steppair there is a one step path from the proceeding step's destination webpage to the subsequent step's source web page; and amending the datarecord to indicate that no other step separates said compared step pairswhen a new step was inserted.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein one ofthe logical sequences consists of: comparing each step's source web pageto the source web page of the immediately subsequent step for all pairof steps when there is no indication that no step is missing betweensaid step pairs in the data record; amending the data record to insert anew step between compared step pairs consisting of the proceeding step'sdestination web page as said new step's source web page and thesubsequent step's source web page as said new step's destination webpage when in a compared step pair the source web pages are the same webpage; and amending the data record to indicate that no other stepseparates said compared step pairs when a new step was inserted.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises determining whensaid web site user utilized a device to return to a web page visitedimmediately prior to visiting a second web page; and amending the datarecord to show when said device was used.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein one of the logical sequences consists of: comparing each step'sdestination web page to the source web page of the immediatelysubsequent step for all pair of steps when there is no indication thatno step is missing between said step pairs in the data record; examiningsteps proceeding each said compared pair of steps to determine whetherinserting one of more of said proceeding steps, or said proceeding stepsin which proceeding steps' destination web page and source web page areinterchanged, would allow a path from the compared pair's proceedingstep's destination web page to the subsequent step's source web page;determining a minimum number of said proceeding steps, and saidproceeding steps in which proceeding steps' destination web page andsource web page are interchanged, needed to complete the path betweenthe steps of said compared pair and amending the data record to insertsaid minimum number of new steps between said compared step pairs whensaid examination shows steps that will allow a path between saidcompared steps; and amending the data record to indicate that no otherstep separates said compared step pairs when any new steps are inserted.7. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the logical sequences consistsof: comparing each step's destination web page to the source web page ofthe immediately subsequent step for all pair of steps when there is noindication that no step is missing between said step pairs in the datarecord; examining steps subsequent to each said compared pair of stepsto determine whether inserting one of more of said subsequent steps, orsaid subsequent steps in which subsequent steps' destination web pageand source web page are interchanged, would allow a path from thecompared pair's proceeding step's destination web page to the subsequentstep's source web page; determining a minimum number of said subsequentsteps, and said subsequent steps in which subsequent steps' destinationweb page and source web page are interchanged, needed to complete thepath between the steps of said compared pair and amending the datarecord to insert said minimum number of new steps between said comparedstep pairs when said examination shows steps that will allow a pathbetween said compared steps; and amending the data record to indicatethat no other step separates said compared step pairs when any new stepsare inserted.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the logicalsequences consists of: comparing each step's destination web page to thesource web page of the immediately subsequent step for all pair of stepswhen there is no indication that no step is missing between said steppairs in the data record; examining the structure of the web site todetermine a minimum number of steps needed to complete a path betweenthe compared pair's proceeding step's destination web page to thesubsequent step's source web page; and amending the data record toinsert said minimum number of new steps between said compared steppairs.
 9. A method of determining a travel path through a web sitehaving a plurality of web pages, the method comprising the steps of:defining a path as all steps taken by a web site user from web page toweb page within a web site; defining each step as a pair of web pagesconsisting of a source web page and a destination web page; retrieving adata record containing a partial record of steps; reconstructing missingsteps in the path through comparing each step's source web page to thedestination web page of the immediately prior step; amending the datarecord to indicate that no step separates two steps in which a step'ssource web page and the prior step's destination web page are the samelocation; then, reconstructing missing steps in the path throughcomparing each step's destination web page to the source web page of theimmediate subsequent step for all pairs of steps when there is noindication that no step is missing between said step pairs in the datarecord; amending the data record to insert a new step between comparedstep pairs consisting of the proceeding step's destination web page assaid new step's source web page and the subsequent step's source webpage as said new step's destination web page when in a compared steppair there is a one step path from the proceeding step's destination webpage to the subsequent step's source web page; amending the data recordto indicate that no other step separates said compared step pairs when anew step was inserted; then, reconstructing missing steps in the paththrough comparing each step's source web page to the source web page ofthe immediately subsequent step for all pair of steps when there is noindication that no step is missing between said step pairs in the datarecord; amending the data record to insert a new step between comparedstep pairs consisting of the proceeding step's destination web page assaid new step's source web page and the subsequent step's source webpage as said new step's destination web page when in a compared steppair the source web pages are the same web page; amending the datarecord to indicate that no other step separates said compared step pairswhen a new step was inserted; then, reconstructing missing steps in thepath through comparing each step's destination web page to the sourceweb page of the immediately subsequent step for all pair of steps whenthere is no indication that no step is missing between said step pairsin the data record; examining steps proceeding each said compared pairof steps to determine whether inserting one of more of said proceedingsteps, or said proceeding steps in which proceeding steps' destinationweb page and source web page are interchanged, would allow a path fromthe compared pair's proceeding step's destination web page to thesubsequent step's source web page; determining a minimum number of saidproceeding steps and said proceeding steps in which proceeding steps'destination web page and source web page are interchanged needed tocomplete the path between the steps of said compared pair and amendingthe data record to insert said minimum number of new steps between saidcompared step pairs when said examination shows steps that will allow apath between said compared steps; amending the data record to indicatethat no other step separates said compared step pairs when any new stepsare inserted; then, reconstructing missing steps in the path throughcomparing each step's destination web page to the source web page of theimmediately subsequent step for all pair of steps when there is noindication that no step is missing between said step pairs in the datarecord; examining steps subsequent to each said compared pair of stepsto determine whether inserting one of more of said subsequent steps, orsaid subsequent steps in which subsequent steps' destination web pageand source web page are interchanged, would allow a path from thecompared pair's proceeding step's destination web page to the subsequentstep's source web page; determining a minimum number of said subsequentsteps, and said subsequent steps in which subsequent steps' destinationweb page and source web page are interchanged, needed to complete thepath between the steps of said compared pair and amending the datarecord to insert said minimum number of new steps between said comparedstep pairs when said examination shows steps that will allow a pathbetween said compared steps; amending the data record to indicate thatno other step separates said compared step pairs when any new steps areinserted; then, reconstructing missing steps in the path throughcomparing each step's destination web page to the source web page of theimmediately subsequent step for all pair of steps when there is noindication that no step is missing between said step pairs in the datarecord; examining the structure of the web site to determine a minimumnumber of steps needed to complete a path between the compared pair'sproceeding step's destination web page to the subsequent step's sourceweb page; and amending the data record to insert said minimum number ofnew steps between said compared step pairs.
 10. A method of determininga travel path through a web site having a plurality of web pages whereinsaid web site user may access multiple web pages simultaneously througha single act, the method comprising the steps of: defining a path as allsteps taken by a web site user from web page to web page within a website; defining each step as a set of web pages consisting of a sourceweb page and one or more destination web pages; retrieving a data recordcontaining a partial record of steps; and reconstructing missing stepsin the path through the application of logical sequences; and amendingthe data record to show when said web site user accesses a destinationweb page that creates a path to multiple destination pages.
 11. A methodof determining a travel path through a web site having a plurality ofweb pages wherein the web site is structured so that web pages within itare designated in a particular hierarchy, the method comprising thesteps of: defining a path as all steps taken by a web site user from webpage to web page within a web site; defining each step as a pair of webpages consisting of a source web page and a destination web page;retrieving a data record containing a partial record of steps;reconstructing missing steps in the path through the application oflogical sequences; and applying the logical sequences such that thehierarchy of the web site is a element in determining which steps areinserted into the data record.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein saidlogical sequences are applied such that a parent-child relationshipbetween two web pages influences which steps are inserted into the datarecord when the particular hierarchy designates certain web pages asparent web pages of certain other web pages therein designated as childweb pages, wherein the child web page is predominately reachable onlythrough the parent web page.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein thelogical sequences are applied such that a step may include multipledestination web pages when said web site user accesses a destination webpage that creates a path to multiple destination web pages.
 14. A methodof determining a travel path through a web site having a plurality ofweb pages wherein a web page may consist of one or more web pagesdisplayed at once and framed in different parts of said web page, themethod comprising the steps of: defining a path as all steps taken by aweb site user from web page to web page within a web site; defining eachstep as two sets of one or more web pages consisting of a source webpage set and a destination web page set; retrieving a data recordcontaining a partial record of steps; and reconstructing missing stepsin the path through the application of logical sequences.
 15. The methodof claim 14, wherein one of the logical sequences consists of: comparingeach step's source web page set to the destination web page set of theimmediately prior step; and amending the data record to indicate that nostep separates two steps in which a step's source web page set and theprior step's destination web page set are the same location.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, wherein one of the logical sequences consists of:comparing each step's destination web page set to the source web pageset of the immediate subsequent step for all pair of steps when there isno indication that no step is missing between said step pairs in thedata record; amending the data record to insert a new step betweencompared step pairs consisting of the proceeding step's destination webpage set as said new step's source web page set and the subsequentstep's source web page set as said new step's destination web page setwhen in a compared step pair there is a one step path from theproceeding step's destination web page set to the subsequent step'ssource web page set; and amending the data record to indicate that noother step separates said compared step pairs when a new step wasinserted.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein one of the logicalsequences consists of: comparing each step's destination web page set tothe source web page set of the immediately subsequent step for all pairof steps when there is no indication that no step is missing betweensaid step pairs in the data record; examining steps subsequent to eachsaid compared pair of steps to determine whether inserting one of moreof said subsequent steps would allow a path from the compared pair'sproceeding step's destination web page set to the subsequent step's setsource web page; determining a minimum number of said subsequent stepsneeded to complete the path between the steps of said compared pair andamending the data record to insert said minimum number of new stepsbetween said compared step pairs when said examination shows steps thatwill allow a path between said compared steps; and amending the datarecord to indicate that no other step separates said compared step pairswhen any new steps are inserted.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein oneof the logical sequences consists of: comparing each step's destinationweb page set to the source web page set of the immediately subsequentstep for all pair of steps when there is no indication that no step ismissing between said step pairs in the data record; examining stepsproceeding each said compared pair of steps to determine whetherinserting one of more of said proceeding steps, or said proceeding stepsin which proceeding steps' destination web page set and source web pageset are interchanged, would allow a path from the compared pair'sproceeding step's destination web page set to the subsequent step'ssource web page set; determining a minimum number of said proceedingsteps, and said proceeding steps in which proceeding steps' destinationweb page set and source web page set are interchanged, needed tocomplete the path between the steps of said compared pair and amendingthe data record to insert said minimum number of new steps between saidcompared step pairs when said examination shows steps that will allow apath between said compared steps; and amending the data record toindicate that no other step separates said compared step pairs when anynew steps are inserted.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein one of thelogical sequences consists of: comparing each step's destination webpage set to the source web page set of the immediately subsequent stepfor all pair of steps when there is no indication that no step ismissing between said step pairs in the data record; examining thestructure of the web site to determine a minimum number of steps neededto complete a path between the compared pair's proceeding step'sdestination web page set to the subsequent step's source web page set;and amending the data record to insert said minimum number of new stepsbetween said compared step pairs.
 20. A method of determining a travelpath through a web site having a plurality of web pages wherein a webpage may consist of one or more web pages displayed at once and framedin different parts of said web page, the method comprising the steps of:defining a path as all steps taken by a web site user from web page toweb page within a web site; defining each step as two sets of one ormore web pages consisting of a source web page set and a destination webpage set; retrieving a data record containing a partial record of steps;reconstructing missing steps in the path through comparing each step'ssource web page set to the destination web page set of the immediatelyprior step; amending the data record to indicate that no step separatestwo steps in which a step's source web page set and the prior step'sdestination web page set are the same location; then, reconstructingmissing steps in the path through comparing each step's destination webpage set to the source web page set of the immediate subsequent step forall pair of steps when there is no indication that no step is missingbetween said step pairs in the data record; amending the data record toinsert a new step between compared step pairs consisting of theproceeding step's destination web page set as said new step's source webpage set and the subsequent step's source web page set as said newstep's destination web page set when in a compared step pair there is aone step path from the proceeding step's destination web page set to thesubsequent step's source web page set; amending the data record toindicate that no other step separates said compared step pairs when anew step was inserted; then, reconstructing missing steps in the paththrough comparing each step's destination web page set to the source webpage set of the immediately subsequent step for all pair of steps whenthere is no indication that no step is missing between said step pairsin the data record; examining steps subsequent to each said comparedpair of steps to determine whether inserting one of more of saidsubsequent steps would allow a path from the compared pair's proceedingstep's destination web page set to the subsequent step's set source webpage; determining a minimum number of said subsequent steps needed tocomplete the path between the steps of said compared pair and amendingthe data record to insert said minimum number of new steps between saidcompared step pairs when said examination shows steps that will allow apath between said compared steps; amending the data record to indicatethat no other step separates said compared step pairs when any new stepsare inserted then, reconstructing missing steps in the path throughcomparing each step's destination web page set to the source web pageset of the immediately subsequent step for all pair of steps when thereis no indication that no step is missing between said step pairs in thedata record; examining steps proceeding each said compared pair of stepsto determine whether inserting one of more of said proceeding steps, orsaid proceeding steps in which proceeding steps' destination web pageset and source web page set are interchanged, would allow a path fromthe compared pair's proceeding step's destination web page set to thesubsequent step's source web page set; determining a minimum number ofsaid proceeding steps and said proceeding steps in which proceedingsteps' destination web page set and source web page set are interchangedneeded to complete the path between the steps of said compared pair andamending the data record to insert said minimum number of new stepsbetween said compared step pairs when said examination shows steps thatwill allow a path between said compared steps; amending the data recordto indicate that no other step separates said compared step pairs whenany new steps are inserted; then, reconstructing missing steps in thepath through comparing each step's destination web page set to thesource web page set of the immediately subsequent step for all pair ofsteps when there is no indication that no step is missing between saidstep pairs in the data record; examining the structure of the web siteto determine a minimum number of steps needed to complete a path betweenthe compared pair's proceeding step's destination web page set to thesubsequent step's source web page set; and amending the data record toinsert said minimum number of new steps between said compared steppairs.
 21. A method of determining a travel path through a web sitehaving a plurality of web pages wherein a web page may consist of one ormore web pages displayed at once and framed in different parts of saidweb page and wherein the web site is structured so that particular webpage sets within it are designated in a particular hierarchy, the methodcomprising the steps of: defining a path as all steps taken by a website user from web page to web page within a web site; defining eachstep as two sets of one or more web pages consisting of a source webpage set and a destination web page set; retrieving a data recordcontaining a partial record of steps; reconstructing missing steps inthe path through the application of logical sequences; and applying saidlogical sequences such that the hierarchy of the web site is a elementin determining which set of steps is inserted into the data record. 22.The method of claim 21, wherein said logical sequences are applied suchthat a parent-child relationship between two web page sets influenceswhich steps are inserted into the data record when the hierarchy of theweb site designates certain web page sets as parent web page sets ofcertain other web page sets therein designated as child web page sets,wherein the child web page set is predominately reachable only throughthe parent web page set.